LAOAG CITY—The number of vehicular accidents in the Ilocos region has been rising at an alarming rate, with at least 1,521 incidents recorded between January and May 9, data released by the Ilocos regional police on Monday showed. Police Col. Christopher Acop, acting deputy regional director for operations, said the number of road accidents recorded this year was already almost half of the 3,257 total in 2022. Pangasinan province saw the highest number of vehicular accidents in the region with 984. Road accidents were more frequent with motorcycles with 1,123 incidents. Acop said the police had stepped up efforts to ensure the safety of drivers and their passengers. “We have already established more police posts and deployed police mobile patrols. They will be patrolling our streets and roads 24/7,” he said. —JOHN MICHAEL MUGAS